Application of a High Field and High Resolution MRI to Tribological Studies of Articular Cartilage

了解髋关节和膝盖等健康滑膜关节的润滑机制，不仅对于了解这些天然轴承在人体内的运作方式，而且对于开发干预疗法都很重要。滑膜关节中唯一的关节软骨承载材料是充满水的多孔弹性材料。在载荷作用下，间隙水流动并支撑很大比例的外部载荷。这项计划的目的是开发和应用先进的高分辨率MRI来研究关节软骨的润滑性。主要目标包括开发MRI成像方法，以及设计和开发一种小型实验润滑台，用于在MRI内部测量变形、摩擦和磨损。一旦开发出这些方法，将在正常组织和退化组织上进行应用。随着软骨替代干预和组织工程疗法的发展，了解健康和退化软骨标本在各种载荷条件下的流体流动和润滑能力是重要的。拟议研究的结果将为这些治疗方案的临床前评估提供及时的指导方针，并为监管和标准机构提供知识。这将给英国NHS带来巨大的经济利益，也将给患者带来临床上的好处。

Understanding the lubrication mechanism in healthy synovial joints such as hips and knees is important for not only understanding how these natural bearings operate in the human body but also developing intervention therapies. The unique load bearing material of articular cartilage in synovial joints is porous and elastic filled with water. Under loading, the interstitial water flows and supports a large percentage of external loading. The aims of this proposal are to develop and apply an advanced high resolution MRI to the lubrication studies of articular cartilage. The main objectives include the development of the MRI imaging methodology and design and development of a small scale experimental lubrication rig to be used inside the MRI to measure deformation, friction and wear. Once these methodologies are developed, applications will be made on both normal and degenerated tissues. Understanding the fluid flow and lubricating capacity for healthy and degenerated cartilage specimens in a range of loading conditions is important as cartilage substitution interventions and tissue engineering therapies are being developed. The outcome from the proposed research will provide timely guidelines for pre-clinical evaluation of these treatment options, and provide knowledge for the regulatory and standards bodies. This will have tremendous economic benefits to the UK NHS as well as clinical benefits to patients.